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Girl Scouts Make Strides In Helping Sick Toddler

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: March 11, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - Members of Girl Scout Troop 758 want to help make miracles for Megan.

They are hosting the Tri It ... Get Fit Temple Terrace Youth Triathlon Series on Saturday at the Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex. Money raised by the fifth- and six-graders will be placed in a trust fund to help defray medical and research expenses for 2-year-old Megan Garrett of Temple Terrace, who is battling a life-threatening illness.

The daughter of Terri and Pat Garrett was diagnosed at 9 months old with mitochondrial disease, a little-known progressive and degenerative condition. It affects the cells responsible for creating more than 90 percent of the body's energy and manifests itself in muscle weakness, seizures, visual and hearing issues, and among other problems, developmental delays. Doctors have no cure.

"We've all seen her and heard her story and we feel badly for her," said Scout Heather DeReus, 12, of Tampa. "I feel like it's really a great opportunity to help out and try to help her get better."

The triathlon, a combination of swimming, biking and running, was the girls' idea and a service project they have been organizing since September. It will earn the troop the Bronze Star award because it involves the community and is fitness related, criteria necessary to achieve the honor.

Racers will be divided into four groups: Sprinters, ages 5 and 6, will compete in a 25-yard swim, a 1-mile bike ride and a quarter-mile run. Olympians, ages 7 to 10, will swim 100 yards, bike 2 miles and run a half mile. Elites, ages 11 to 15, will swim 200 yards, ride 4 miles and run a mile. The adult Super Sprinters, ages 16 and older, will go the same distance as the Elites. Participants and winners in each category will receive medals.

"It's a really good event for someone who runs but has never participated in a triathlon," said the troop's co-leader, Beth McCullough.

She noted the race is professionally handled through a director hired by the organization that coordinates the youth triathlon series events nationwide and for whom most the entrance fees are earmarked. A portion also will go toward Lance Amrstrong's Livestrong Foundation.

The 14 Scouts, McCullough said, must solicit sponsorships to benefit Megan. So far, they have raised more than $4,000 and secured close to 100 volunteers for the event.

"The girls are so excited to do this for her," she said. "It started as a little idea and has blossomed into a great community event."

"It was such a blessing to have them want to donate to Megan's foundation," said Brenda Golterman, who has led the group of Scouts since their kindergarten years. "I couldn't be happier to have these girls all these years."

To read more about Megan's ordeal, visit www.miracleformegan.com.

TRI IT ... GET FIT

WHAT: Temple Terrace Youth Triathlon Series
WHEN: 7 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex, 5510 E. Whiteway Drive

AGES: 5 to 99

FEE: $35 for ages 5 to 15; $45 for those 16 and older

TO REGISTER: Log on to www.active.com or register in person from 4-7 p.m. Friday at the event site.

INFORMATION: (813) 363-6261 or (813) 892-9280

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849.

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